2025 Impact Highlight
Park County, Mountain Region
Community-identified priorities guide improvement planning efforts for Park County Fairgrounds
The Park County Fairgrounds in Fairplay, Colorado, serves as a central gathering place for residents, youth, visitors, and agricultural groups. The facility supports 4-H programs, livestock events, rodeos, and community activities throughout the year.
As use has increased, county officials and residents have identified the need to modernize and expand the fairgrounds to meet current and future demands. Funding limitations require improvements to occur in phases, making it essential to understand which buildings and amenities the community values most to ensure responsible investments that meet local and regional needs.
Colorado State University Extension conducted a Best-Worst Scaling survey to identify the highest-priority upgrades for the fairgrounds. The survey was administered in person during the 2025 Park County Fair (July 14–20) and online the following week.
A total of 146 responses were collected, with 89 percent of respondents attending the fair and 77 percent living in Park County. Participants reviewed seven building improvement choice sets and five amenity choice sets, selecting the most and least important options in each set. This approach produced reliable measures of community preference for primary buildings and secondary amenities, guiding the County’s phased investment strategy.
Survey data showed that the livestock barn and indoor arena received the strongest support, with a net score of 279, making it the top priority for upgrades. The horse barn (83) and community dining and event hall ( 38) ranked next. Lower-priority projects included the covered grandstands (-12), business incubator and learning center (-73), outdoor amphitheater (-119), and RV/tiny homes (-129). For amenities, year-round restrooms ranked highest ( 139), followed by greenhouse classrooms (55). The café (-23) and childcare facility (-96) were identified as lower priorities. Nearly half of respondents (48 percent) expressed a preference for preserving the current Joe Linch Arena. Visitors also contributed to the local economy, with overnight groups spending about $146 per day and day visitors spending about $67.
This project provides Park County with clear, community-driven guidance for planning phased improvements at the fairgrounds. By identifying what residents and visitors value most, CSU Extension supports efficient allocation of limited resources, protects well-used facilities, and enhances a site that contributes to local tourism, youth development, and agricultural programming. These findings help ensure that future investments strengthen community engagement, economic activity, and the long-term sustainability of a key regional asset.